About the Candidate: John Vibert

Name:  John W. Vibert

Party: Democratic

Position Seeking: Town Council – 2^nd District

Family information: I am a 4th generation, Unionville native from a family with a record of public service.  I am the third child out of eleven, all of whom attended Farmington public schools; all graduating from Farmington High.  I graduated from Farmington High as member of the Class of 1968 and from the University of Connecticut as member of the Class of 1972.

I reside in Unionville with my wife, Dana and our four children, Jack, Bob, Juliet and Olivia.

Occupation, if applicable: I recently retired from The Hartford Financial Services Group after 33 years of service.  Throughout my career, I held automation managerial positions which have left me with many skills including the ability to work collaboratively with others, and the ability to understand automation directions.  Additionally, I have extensive experience creating and reviewing budgets for corporate projects and departments.  This experience is directly transferable to the Town Council’s annual budget process.

Political and Community Experience: In support of the town’s residents, I am currently a member of the Farmington Town Council, serving Farmington’s 2^nd District and a member of the Town Land Acquisition Committee.  I am also an active member of the Unionville Traffic Committee.  I am currently on the Board of the Farmington Community Chest.  I served, as an Alternate, on the Town Planning and Zoning Commission, participated in the 1992 Farmington Futures process and, more recently, in the series of local charettes that were part of the UVIA planning process for Unionville Center.  I was a member of the Farmington Land Trust Board of Directors from 1999 to 2008; serving as its President for five years.  In the past, I have served on the board of the Unionville Museum; serving as the Museum’s treasurer for six years.  I have been involved with Farmington Youth Soccer and Farmington Youth Baseball as a head coach and with Cub Scout Pack 37 as a Cubmaster.

Why are you running for office?  To help my community.  I believe that one can reside in a town or be part of a town; I am a part of Farmington.  With that membership comes the responsibility to contribute.  I am running for Town Council because I can contribute my skills and knowledge to lead our town. 

If elected, what would be your primary areas of focus?  During my first term on the Town Council, I took a lead role with regard to Unionville traffic improvements.  By creating a process that allowed for significant public participation, many improvements were suggested and considered, and several have already been implemented.  I would like to continue this work because traffic has a daily impact on most residents.

Over the last several years, Farmington has done a good job retaining current businesses and attracting new ones.  The Town’s reputation within the business community is excellent as shown by the 2010 Business Survey conducted under the direction of the Economic Development Commission.  This strong commercial base is the key to low taxes, and low taxes and an attractive community are the keys to a strong commercial base.  I would like to provide strong Council support to programs aimed at strengthening our businesses.

The last leg of the Farmington River Trail nears completion along Collinsville Rd. and a long-time goal will finally be accomplished.  We must now look south.  The Town of Plainville has begun efforts to build rails-to-trails across their town and Farmington has an opportunity to build a trail south from Red Oak Hill to the Plainville line.  This multi-town project will eventually connect to Southington and to towns and cities to our south.  I would like ensure that Farmington is a participant in this process.

What issues or opportunities is the town facing today?  Farmington, in support of a State program, adapted a Bio-Science Zone for the UConn Health Center neighborhood.  This was quickly followed by the announcement that Jackson Lab would be moving to the UConn campus.  These developments present a huge opportunity for Farmington to attract new, high-tech companies.  Our low taxes and attractive environment already help attract businesses; the new zone will add to our advantages.

How would you propose to address them?  The Town Council must continue to support the Economic Development Commission and the Economic Development Director.  Their efforts are critical to the attraction and retention of a strong business community.

Anything else you would like to share?  While the Town Council does not have a direct role in determining the details of our Education Budget, its responsibility for setting the education bottom line and its control of the Town’s capital plan cast a large influence over Farmington’s educational direction.  I want to support appropriate levels of educational spending so our excellence is maintained, lost programs restored, while holding tax levels in check.  If this cannot be accomplished, Farmington’s students will be harmed and our property values will decline.